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Original poster

What to read after A Fine Balance

36 replies

Inthevillages · 14/04/2025 09:04

Finished it a week ago (I know I was a bit late to the party!). It’s taken me this long to get over it and be ready for something else but I’m not sure anything will come close.

I like well written but accessible fiction. Love all of Donna Tartts and Barbara Kingsolver’s books but also Kate Atkinson, the Strike novels, Liane Moriarty, John Boyne.

Tend to be put off by anything that mentions the Tudors or calls itself historical fiction (although I’m not sure why and I’m aware that A Fine Balance would fall into the historical fiction category!)

OP posts:
herethereandeverywhatnow · 14/04/2025 21:27

Inthevillages · 14/04/2025 21:05

Ooh that’s weird-the Time Travellers Wife remains the book that made me cry the most.
I will definitely try Burning Bright for the hat trick!

I thought they were an odd pairing of favourites but perhaps not! I actually read TTW every 2 years and just the writing makes me want to cry, let alone the story (especially the ending… don’t get me started!!).
My first copy of Burning Bright was given away free with Cosmopolitan magazine when i was about 18, and it was possibly the first book i read as an adult (when I was just falling in love for the first time too), and it is all about a girl of a similar age going through an awakening (though there were no similarities between her situation and mine I must add!) and it really struck a chord with me for that reason. I loved reading novels, and Helen Dunmore, from that point onwards ❤️

Original poster
Inthevillages · 14/04/2025 21:05

Ooh that’s weird-the Time Travellers Wife remains the book that made me cry the most.
I will definitely try Burning Bright for the hat trick!

OP posts:
herethereandeverywhatnow · 14/04/2025 21:00

Just going to hang out here for the suggestions as A Fine Balance is in my all time top 5 books (along with, perhaps incongruously, The Time Traveller’s Wife, Burning Bright by Helen Dunmore and probably a Margaret Atwood or two …) - i have read it several times, though not for about a decade, and I’m still not over it either!
i listened to Americanah on Audible when I was spending hours walking with a pram every day, and loved it too, so i am going to take notes on the other recommendations being made!

Givemebackmygirlhood · 14/04/2025 10:11

My people!! I tried Tom Lake but didn’t get on with it but loved all the other recommendations above. For light I love Curtis Sittenfield.

Original poster
Inthevillages · 14/04/2025 10:09

CuriousKangaroo · 14/04/2025 09:27

I adored A Fine Balance but I still don’t know that I am over how sad it was - and I read it about 20 years ago!

I suggest something well written but gentle and soothing to ease you back in to reading! How about Tom Lake by Ann Patchett?

But more generally, and I’m sure others will recommend them, if you haven’t read Madeleine Miller’s novels then they are extraordinary. So beautifully written.

Actually you’re right-I’m not over it-my heart still breaks when I think of ‘that’ encounter.

never tried Ann Pachett but has been recommended in the past so will try one if hers

OP posts:
CuriousKangaroo · 14/04/2025 09:28

Also, A Suitable Boy is excellent. Despite how long it is, I have read it twice!

CuriousKangaroo · 14/04/2025 09:27

I adored A Fine Balance but I still don’t know that I am over how sad it was - and I read it about 20 years ago!

I suggest something well written but gentle and soothing to ease you back in to reading! How about Tom Lake by Ann Patchett?

But more generally, and I’m sure others will recommend them, if you haven’t read Madeleine Miller’s novels then they are extraordinary. So beautifully written.

dairydebris · 14/04/2025 09:21

Inthevillages · 14/04/2025 09:17

Americanah looks like it would fit the bill!
The length of A Suitable Boy has always put me off a bit tbh but it’s on the list
Thanks

Anything by Amitav Ghosh if you want shorter!

Original poster
Inthevillages · 14/04/2025 09:17

Americanah looks like it would fit the bill!
The length of A Suitable Boy has always put me off a bit tbh but it’s on the list
Thanks

OP posts:
dairydebris · 14/04/2025 09:13

A Suitable Boy, Vikram Seth.

pangolinfan · 14/04/2025 09:10

Try Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adiche. Read it recently and it blew me away. I loved A Fine Balance too

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